Finished the ZRTs...

[cantskienuf]

...and I'm liking them enough that I turn off the center channel. Maybe that means I need a new center channel? Since Zaph didn't build a CC mate to these, are there any recommendations? I think I'd prefer 8 ohms, >89 db sensitivity, horizontal orientation, < 24" long, and <=8" wide (tall since it is horizontal). Recommendations?

[454Casull]

Why mess with a good thing?

[s7horton]

Do you have any other pics of your buid? Would you mind elaborating a little bit on the sound? What is it you like, or don't like?

Have you been able to compare these to a commercially available speaker?

Thanks!

[cantskienuf]

S7,

I haven't had an A/B comparison with a GOOD commercial speaker. They are replacing a pair of Bose 301s which, of course, could be described by "no highs, no lows - that's Bose." The ZRTs are about 12 feet from the listening position. The left one opens to the adjacent room with no real barrier. The right one is about 18" from a wall with a window and about 12" from a TV on the other side. Both are about 2 feet from the back wall. Both are toed-in just a touch. They are being driven by a Marantz SR-7001 and a Sony SCD-595, neither of which have any mods. Interconnects are DIY 20 gauge silver over copper in teflon terminated in Cardas GRMOs. Speaker wires are 12 gauge Home Depot zip cord (that's another project to find time for). Bass surprised me and highs surprised me. I am able to listen for hours, but not with my eyes closed. I keep hearing things that make me open the eyes. It is a strange sensation. Some times it is a separation of instruments that I never recognized in that passage before, and some times it is like someone is moving in the room. I measured in-room bass response early on, but didn't write it down because I intended to do so again after break-in, but I was pleasantly surprised by the numbers. Imaging is pleasant. The speakers disappear nicely and instruments are placed largely somewhere in the center between them, quite a bit off the floor and sometimes extending several feet into the room. Right now they do not have spikes, which when I decide on a base, I suspect to alter the bass and imaging somewhat. I built the cabinets myself instead of using the Madisound pre-builts. They are 3/4" baltic birch side, top, bottom and back panels with 1" MDF baffles. Baffles are scalloped in the rear and both drivers are recess-mounted. Baffles are painted satin black, all wood surfaces were sealed, stained walnut, then waxed with Briwax dark. Cabinets are cross-braced and the baffles are removable with 3/4" closed-cell foam between baffle and the cabinet for sealing. Although I used them, I'm not really sure I like the idea of the Madisound crossovers because they use a board with surface-mounted solder connections. For some reason I just feel better about solid mechanical connections, but it ohmed-out just fine and I have experienced no problems. Before deciding to build these, I auditioned Paradigms and Monitor Audio's Silver RS line. I was just about to buy the RS5, but played some Stevie Ray Vaughn on them that wasn't very pleasant to my ears. That same cut didn't provide that type of sensation on any of my home systems, so I decided to go the ZRT route. I took pictures along the way and uploaded them to my comcast personal page because I didn't want to use up too much diyAudio bandwidth, but I can't recall the URL, so I'll have to look that up when I get home. I have a few shots here at the office, so I can put a couple of them up. How about a the in-room setup?

[cantskienuf]

Ready to foam and stuff?

[cantskienuf]

Madisound cross-over close-up.

[cantskienuf]

How about a buncha clamps? Yes, oddly enough I did put a finish on the major panels before final assembly. I attribute that to weather and boredom. Used birch border veneer on the plywood ends and it stained up to match nicely - but then I'm color-blind, so you may see differences that I don't perceive.

[cantskienuf]

This link might take you to the build photos. By the way, I have not been able to duplicate the problems that Ila and Iseeall have identified with their tweeters.http://home.comcast.net/~jharvill1/site/?/photos/

[s7horton]

Thanks for taking the time to share. Looks like it was a fun build!